My law practice is quite narrow in scope. I handle Workers’ Compensation and Social Security claims and not much else. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t call me with other legal questions or needs. That’s because I happen to pride myself on being fairly knowledgeable about the legal community here on Long Island as well as in New York City.

What I’m saying is that I have been around long enough to have met dozens of terrific, skilled, reliable lawyers. Our profession is often made fun of or looked down upon; but my experience is that even with the occasional “bad apple” the vast majority are honorable and competent.

Of course, someone looking for counsel can always start by calling their local Bar Association. I should mention here that most Bar Associations have a “lawyer referral service” where persons in need of counsel are given a list of local lawyers that practice in the applicable field.

But of course, another way to go about it is to call a lawyer you know and trust and ask for a referral. This is commonplace and I get these kinds of inquiries every so often.

I belong to a group called the “Attorneys’ Roundtable” here in Long Island which is comprised of one or two top-flight practitioners in most specialties—there are tax lawyers, matrimonial lawyers, immigration lawyers, etc.—and I’ve grown to know each one. So I have a good base of lawyers to recommend.

Plus I have been networking extensively, so I meet lawyers through my many different networking groups. I also am active in many Bar Associations so I draw upon those contacts as well.

Of course, I do not guarantee that my referral will be right for you. It’s just a courtesy I extend with the hope that it will be helpful. So if you need any kind of lawyer, feel free to call me for a recommendation. I will try to help you as much as I can.

Lastly, though, I strongly recommend that you choose your attorney carefully and interview more than one. Ask a lot of questions at your initial consultation. These questions should include:

Who exactly will I be working with? You don’t want to find an attorney you really like only to discover that you’re handed off to a junior associate who you don’t like so much.

What are your credentials? Every lawyer admitted to the bar in your state is technically qualified to practice law but they may have also obtained a specialization, a credential like the AEP designation (Accredited Estate Planner), or an LLM (Master of Laws) in an area like tax law.

How much experience do you have working with clients like me in similar situations? You don’t necessarily want your son’s friend’s DUI lawyer drafting his first trust for you.

How would you be paid? If you’re paying a fixed fee or an hourly rate, you’ll want some idea of what this would cost you and whether it’s worth it.

Do you have any questions for me? A good attorney will be focused on your situation and needs rather than theirs.

So good luck in finding an attorney. And don’t hesitate to call me even if your legal problem is not an injury or a disability.